Injured Vaca soldier now at Walter Reed
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Article Launched: 11/30/2007 06:14:33 AM PST |
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 Sgt. Robert Laux |
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| A Vacaville soldier injured in Iraq is back in the United States this week - recovering in Washington, D.C., with family members at his side. Sgt. Robert Laux, a 26-year-old Vacaville High graduate, recently was taken to Walter Reed Medical Center from a hospital near Ramstein, Germany, where he was transported after sustaining injuries in Iraq. "He's doing very well," his uncle, Jim Mumaugh, said by cell phone Wednesday. "He was in surgery for four hours today." According to a report printed in the military publication "Stars and Stripes," Laux was injured earlier this month during a mission in which he and his comrades were searching for soldiers missing since May. Laux, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, serving his third tour in Iraq, was dropped into a village about 15 miles south of Baghdad. "One of the fellows behind him tripped something and set off the explosion," Mumaugh said. "It caught him from the left rear; the blast threw him, shattered his glasses." The explosion also shattered Laux's left arm. His uncle said Laux also incurred shrapnel cuts on both legs, both arms, his forehead and the back of the neck. "They put a tourniquet on his arm and flew him out of there, practically before the dust settled," Mumaugh said. Laux has spoken to family members since the incident, and his sister, Sandy Laux, who was in the nation's capital Wednesday visiting her brother, said she is encouraged by his progress. "He's actually doing pretty well," she said. "He's in good sprits; he's talking and joking." Sandy Laux described her brother as "a pretty typical guy," who is active and likes sports. He is also left-handed, she added, "so this kind of injury has really taken its toll." Although doctors aren't sure yet how much movement her brother will gain back, Laux said, "he can move the muscles in his fingers, he can flex the muscles in the top of his shoulder - they say those are all good signs." Laux said her brother will probably not re-enlist in the service when the time comes. His uncle is under the same impression and said, "he doesn't want to push his luck any more." Mumaugh and his wife have been legal guardians of the Laux siblings since they were adolescents. He admitted that he was somewhat wary of Laux's decision to enlist, given the political climate and the ongoing war. Even so, he said his nephew has undeniably grown in every respect during his time in the military. "He's matured physically and emotionally, as well as mentally," he said, adding, "I couldn't be more proud of him." Jennifer Gentile can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com. |